Tenn. Bill Would Make Practicing Shariah a Felony

Republican lawmakers in Tennessee proposed a law that would make following the Islamic law known as Shariah a felony, the Tennessean reported Wednesday. Lawmakers who introduced the bill described Shariah as a danger to homeland security.

The proposed law would give the attorney general the authority to investigate complaints and decide who’s practicing it.

Sen. Bill Murfreesboro and state Rep. Judd Matheny introduced the bill in their respective chambers. At least a 12 other states are considering similar bills, and there’s a federal lawsuit over one in Oklahoma. However, the proposed law in Tennessee goes farther by imposing criminal sanctions.

Matheny told the newspaper he would consider amending his proposal and that he is concerned that parts of Shariah conflicts with the U.S. Constitution.

"I'm still researching it," he told the newspaper. "My intent is to educate and to look at it."